A Versatile Synthetic Method for Silaindenes

Significance

Silacyclopentadienes constitute a class of promising organic materials for optoelectronic applications, such as organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). For rapid screening of optimal properties, the development of efficient and divergent synthetic methodologies for silacyclopentadiene derivatives is required. Herein, a versatile synthetic method for 2-substituted 1-sila­indenes is communicated. Ruthenium-catalyzed trans-selective hydrosilylation of alkynes using dimethyl(2-vinylphenyl)silane, which is readily prepared from 2-bromostyrene, gives branch-type adducts exclusively. Following ring-closing meta­thesis (RCM) using Grubbs II catalyst provides a wide variety of 2-substituted 1-silaindenes.